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Memory Cafés
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Memory Cafés welcome those experiencing early stage dementia, mild memory loss or cognitive impairment, as well as family and friends of those affected. They are a great opportunity for lively discussions, information gathering, refreshments, camaraderie, and lots of creative fun! We have a gerontology professional on hand to answer questions and an enormous wealth of experience among participants to be shared. We'd be delighted if you would join us! Call Lynn Ann at 920-225-1711
for more information. Click below for our upcoming café schedules.
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Kaukauna Café Features Harpist Ellen Scheibe
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The harp is one of the oldest instruments in the world dating back to 3000 B.C. The harp once was an aristocratic instrument only played for royalty, Join our royal party in Kaukauna on Monday, December 12 at 2 pm to listen to harpist Ellen Scheibe play Christmas Carols. Take a break from the holiday hustle to sing along and relax to the lovely music. You are welcome to bring your favorite Christmas cookies and recipe to share. This café is located at the Hoffman Memory Care Resource Center, 316 E 14th St, Kaukauna (use the 13th St. entrance).
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Memory Loss Resource Center
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The
Memory Loss Resource Center
welcomes those experiencing dementia, their care partners, family and friends. Get information and support in a warm and caring environment. We look forward to meeting you.
Call 920-225-1711 to schedule a personal appointment to obtain information, support and/or referrals.
We can also share information with you about our ongoing activities.
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What's On Your Mind?
Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch, Program Coordinator
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The "On A Positive Note" chorus (made up of Memory Project participants and volunteers) recently joined the Pre-K class at Fox Valley Christian Academy for an interactive musical program. The youthful students were able to perform some special songs with actions and sing along with us to some of our favorite songs. The gathering closed with the entire group doing a rousing rendition of the "Hokey Pokey." I still smile when I think of the laughter and joy that came forth that morning. It was a truly enjoyable time for all present.
Why are intergenerational programs valuable?
Research shows that many children in our society don't have opportunities to interact with grandparents and other seniors. As a result, children are more likely to have negative feelings about aging. Aging stereotypes are more likely to make children fearful of growing older. By helping connect kids and seniors we can begin to overcome these stereotypes. Pre-K teacher Mary Vandenbush Bankert paved the way for our visit by sharing stories about memory loss including "Still My Grandma" by Véronique Van den Abeele. She explained that our group was made up of grandmas and grandpas who don't have children attending their school. The students were shy in the beginning, but by the end of the program, they joined us for a group picture (check out our Facebook page!). This activity allowed the children to feel special and important. What a great way to build self-esteem by singing to a group of attentive adults who were captivated by youthful innocence and energy.
Many seniors don't have the opportunity to interact with young persons. Our communities and activities are divided by age, young people in schools and older adults in retirement communities. Our Pre-K friends were very excited to share their music with us. They provided an opportunity for us to view the world anew, through the eyes of a child. Building connections and friendships between the generations helps increase the feelings of understanding and respect between children and older adults.
There are striking similarities between the young and the old, each at the opposite end of the life cycle. We live in a society that values an active and productive adulthood. The young and old share a different rhythm that focuses not just on doing, but on "being." These simple "in the moment" activities include playing, tending flowers and singing. The young and the old are most closely connected with the essence of living. They exist in a moment that's the grand sum of past, present, and future. Rather than rushing and stressing to fit as much into time as possible, time is a comfortable companion, a circle rather than a line.
We talk about ways that we can help older adults. Perhaps older adults can help the rest of the population. It's the experience of life in a multigenerational, interdependent, richly complex community that, more than anything else, teaches us how to be human.
http://www.legacyproject.org/guides/intergenbenefits.html
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Fox Valley Memory Program IN THE NEWS!
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Check out this video link that describes the gift of music that the members of newVoices offer to our Memory Cafe participants. This video is a great example of how the joy of music remains long after many other memories have faded away. THANK YOU to Mary Schmidt and newVoices for producing this video!
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| newVoices Provide the Joy of Music at Memory Cafes |
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Sensory Theme Kits Available for Checkout!
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Have you ever struggled to find ways to interact with your loved one with dementia? The Fox Valley Memory Project has Sensory Kits available for you to borrow. Each kit has items to trigger memories by using sensory connections and provide an opportunity for your loved one to share their memories. Kits includes a list of ideas to start conversations. Our current kits include the following themes: Crafts, Gardening, Farming, Fishing, Green Bay Packers, School Days and Pets. Thank you to the staff of St. Paul Elder Services for preparing these sensory theme kits.
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Seeking Ipod Donations
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The Music & Memory Program is a personalized music program that allows persons with dementia to have Ipods loaded with their favorite music. Providing persons with personalized music has many positive outcomes including reduced agitation and increased interaction and attention,
Do you have a gently used IPod that you no longer need? We are also looking for small speakers that can be used for listening instead of headphones. If you have items that we can recycle, please identify them as a Fox Valley Memory Project (FVMP) donation and drop them off at the former Thompson Community Center, 820 W College Ave in Appleton.
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Year End Giving
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It seems hard to believe that we are in the final months of 2016! As the end of the year approaches, many of you will be making charitable gifts. Gifts to the Fox Valley Memory Project are tax deductible.
The FVMP has a fund at the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley. If you go to their website,
www.cffoxvalley.org, the Ways to Give Now area offers helpful steps and guidance when considering gifts of cash, securities, real estate, personal property, business interests and IRA assets. The Foundation staff has knowledge and experience to help you make a gift.
If you would like to give a gift of cash using a credit card, go to their website, click on "Donors", Cash scroll down, under "Giving Options", click Give Online. When completing the form, under "designation" click on Fox Valley Memory Project.
The generosity of this community has allowed the Fox Valley Memory Project to provide services for four years. Thank you for past gifts and future gifts. All donations are greatly appreciated.
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"Transitions"
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Fox Valley Memory Project care partner participants have requested a specialized support group focusing on the needs of the care partner as they transition into new phases in their life. Our first 8 week session focused on topics such as grief, guilt and shame, placement in long term care, treasuring memories, self-care and setting personal goals for the future.
We will be starting another "Transitions" program in January and are looking for care partners that would like to join. Our co-facilitators are Rev. Karon Sandberg, Heartland Hospice and Lynn Ann Clausing Rusch of the Fox Valley Memory Project.
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| "Christmas at the Chapel" by newVoices |
We have been invited to attend the dress rehearsal for the newVoices concert "
Christmas at the Chapel"
on
Sunday, December 11 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM
at
Lawrence University Memorial Chapel.
This concert is one the most joyous Christmas traditions in the region as the chorus presents seasonal sacred music. They will feature your most- loved Christmas songs. Make this cherished concert part of your Christmas tradition!
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Join Us to Dine and Socialize
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One of the goals of the Fox Valley Memory Project is to reduce social isolation in a stigma free environment for both care partners and their loved ones with memory loss.
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Memory Assessment Center
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| Memory Assessment Assessments are offered at Mosaic Family Health in downtown Appleton by Dr. Lee Vogel and resident physicians. Initial assessments screen for memory impairment, assess overall health and, if warranted, proceed to a more comprehensive evaluation to diagnose the cause/type of dementia. For more information, call the clinic at 920-997-8436. In-Home Caregiver Support Read more about this free six month program for those caring at home for persons with significant memory loss. A certified caregiver coach will help you with this journey. Rosalyn Carter Institute REACH Program Description |
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Purple Angel Partners in the Fox Valley
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We are happy to announce that Clover Chiropractic LLC and Corr Opticians have joined our Fox Valley Memory Project family of dementia friendly businesses.
The Fox Valley Memory Project Purple Angel program continues to spread dementia
awareness throughout the Fox Valley and beyond. The Purple Angel Community Team
(PACT) is made up of a small group of dedicated community members who offer free
dementia awareness training to area businesses.
Click here for a list of local businesses and organizations that have received dementia awareness training.
If you are interested in having your business or organization become a Purple Angel partner, please contact Lynn Ann at 920-225-1711 or by email at lynnann.clausing@lsswis.org.
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Research shows that music, especially with active participation, demonstrates physiological, emotional and social benefits to those with memory loss. Active participation stimulates the brain and also has some physical benefits. Music is a road to memories and helps those with dementia to engage and socialize in ways they normally cannot do.
Valley VNA collaborated with Dr. Susan McFadden of UW-Oshkosh to design, implement and evaluate the program, which is based off the United Kingdom Alzheimer Society's program "Singing for the Brain."
The next 6 week series of Lyrics & Laughter begins on Thursday, January 12. You can choose between a morning session beginning at 9:30 AM or an afternoon session beginning at 1 PM. Please call 920-727-5555 to make a reservation for this engaging program.
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SPARK!
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SPARK! is a program for caregivers and loved ones living with memory loss. The Trout Museum of Art, and The Building for Kids Children's Museum are pleased to be among the Wisconsin museums awarded funding by Bader Philanthropies and the Community Foundation to create programming where participants engage in lively discussions, art making, and multi-sensory activities.
Each one hour program is led by a specially trained museum educator who will engage participants in interactive exhibit experiences. Join us after the program for coffee and conversation led by volunteers who give participants and caregivers the opportunity to support and socialize.
Registration: Contact The Trout Museum at 920-733-4089 or the Building for Kids at 920-734-3226 to reserve your spot. Registration is required at least one week prior to your selected program(s). Space is limited.
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| Programs Offered by LSS |
Dr. Albert Bellg, psychologist and a founding member of the Compassionate Fox Cities organization is hosting courses in Compassionate Meditation.
Come to any of the Monday morning sessions, from
11 AM -12 PM
on December 5 and 19.
Click here for more details. Classes are located at the former Thompson Center at 820 W College Ave in Appleton.
Registration is requested in advance by calling 920-225-1700 by the date of the session you plan to attend.
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| Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra Hosts a Holiday Tea |
In celebration of their 50th Anniversary season, the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra is proud to launch their Senior Outreach Series of small group concerts. The next concert will be held at 7 PM on Thursday, December 1st and is presented in partnership with Carolina Assisted Living . This concert will feature strings and woodwind instruments in a "Holiday Tea" setting. The senior outreach series concerts are free and open to the public. Thanks to the support of Home Instead Senior Care for supporting this program. Please RSVP to Carolina Assisted Living at 920-738-0118.
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Alzheimer's Association Offers Educational Events
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| Thank You to Our Generous Supporters |
Programs of the Fox Valley Memory Project are totally funded by donations and grants. Thank you to all who have so generously support the Memory Project. Your continued support will assure the Fox Valley Memory Project will continue to be here for those in need.
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Mission Statement
The Fox Valley Memory Project collaborates with other organizations to offer programs and services that improve quality of life for persons with dementia, as well as their family care partners and friends. We encourage practices of hospitality and inclusion that make our community dementia-friendly.
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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